VISTA: City Manager Rita Geldert will retire at end of year

Vista's longtime City Manager Rita Geldert
announced
Tuesday that she will retire at the end of
the year.

Geldert, 59, was appointed to the city's top administrative post
in 1997 after serving as the assistant city manager for three
years. She's worked in local government for more than 36 years.

"This decision was an extremely difficult, hard decision,"
Geldert said from the dais at the end of the Vista City Council
meeting.

She said she plans to spend more time with her family, including
her husband, Dale, and their three children and three
grandchildren.

During her tenure, Geldert has overseen the development of the
Vista Village shopping and entertainment center, the construction
and completion of community projects funded by the Proposition L
half-cent sales-tax increase, including the Civic Center, Vista
Sports Park, two new fire stations and the Moonlight Amphitheatre
Stage House, and helped the city progress toward its goal of
redeveloping the Paseo Santa Fe corridor.

"I have strong ties with the city and feel we're a unique,
family unit," she said. "Any accomplishments I'm especially proud
of, I'm most proud of working with a strong team of elected
officials, past and current, who passionately served and continue
to serve Vista."

Geldert said she was especially proud of her involvement with
the Vistans Revitalizing Our Community volunteer program, which
helped clean up neighborhoods and allowed people to work with
residents to complete small projects at more than 300 Vista
homes.

Mayor Judy Ritter said Geldert is known as one of the best city
managers in the region, and other council members added they were
sad to hear her announcement.

"I don't think I've met a manager that has as big a heart as you
do," Councilman Steve Gronke said.

"I'm very sorry to hear you're leaving, especially since we just
started working (together)," said Councilman John Aguilera, who was
elected to the council last year. "I have already learned a lot
from you and really appreciate your support."

Councilman Dave Cowles said he was glad to work with Geldert as
colleagues when he served as superintendent of the Vista Unified
School District.

"Her mark will certainly be left on the city now and for years
to come," he said. "I think our job as a council now is to make the
smoothest, best transition into the next era."

Geldert said the council will meet next week to discuss finding
a replacement.

"This is just a great city," she said. "My advice is to find a
city you feel passionate about and just work for them, because it
won't be work, it will be something you love."